Places to see in Lanzarote

Lanzarote rightly enjoys a reputation as a holiday hotspot. But you needn’t be blinded by the light. There is so much more to see and do on the island than basking in the sun.

On arrival to Arrecife airport, tourists tend to migrate to the southern resorts of Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen. Whilst these pose the promise of a self-contained holiday, you should take time out to explore what else Lanzarote has to offer. A short trip to the capital Arrecife is advised, with this rough diamond shining on closer inspection.

There are also resorts worth checking out by heading north from the airport rather than the south. Of these the pick of bunch is arguably Costa Teguise. A purpose-built ’70s resort, what it lacks in soul it more than makes up for in style.

The town of Teguise enjoys a rather richer history. Founded in 1414, it served as the capital of island before being replaced by Arrecife in 1852. Prepare to be beguiled by its sleepy charm, except on Sundays where the whole town metamorphoses into a giant mercadillo (market) with stalls selling local arts, crafts and delicacies.

Other settlements worth a visit include Haria, aka the Village of 1,000 Palm Trees, in the island’s north-east and Yaiza, voted the prettiest village in Spain on more than the one occasion in recent years, located in Lanzarote’s wild west. Then there’s Orzola, the northernmost village on the island – renowned for its fish restaurants.

Orzola is also a gateway to La Graciosa – rumoured to be the real-life inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. There are regular ferries from the port to this magical isle. If you only have time to visit one beach on La Graciosa, make it Las Conchas which you´ll find behind an array of dunes on the island´s northern tip. Replete with 500 metres of the finest, whitest sand and turquoise water, you’ll be convinced you’ve stumbled across a sedate tropical paradise. Before the rush of the Atlantic waves bring you snap back to reality.

A tour of the vineyards and bodegas of Lanzarote’s La Geria region is another popular option. There are guided packages available, but the main vineyards, including El Grifo, La Geria and Stratus, are well-signposted and easy enough to find. The vines are planted in holes excavated in the island’s volcanic rock which are then refilled with picon, volcanic ash, which retains the morning dew and preserves the spongy texture of the underlying soil.

Last, but by no means least, we recommend a visit to the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya. In the fiery south-west, you’ll be able to observe the enduring volcanic activity. Guides demonstrate this by pouring water into the ground which results in steaming geysers. Little wonder then that Lanzarote is known as Europe’s Hawaii.